Over the years, Church history scholars have written papers, articles, and books about the great pioneers who have carved our latter-day legacy. I enjoy randomly coming upon recorded remembrances that have miraculously survived, been researched, and made available to us so we can continue along our own paths of enduring faith.

It is sad, but true, that little has been written by women about their conversion, everyday life, or journey toward the Salt Lake Valley. Some historians believe women were dragged into the Church in order to stay with their husbands, which would explain why there is little reason to record anything. But of the writings that have been found, there is a clear pattern of shared testimony and belief among these great women. Letters sent to family left behind were full of expectations for the eternities, with a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and His everlasting gospel.

Janiece Johnson has gathered many letters written by women to their loved ones. Following are four of these letters that now stand as fierce examples for us today. These writings clearly show that these women took a knowing step toward their own salvation and did not ride the coattails of their husbands.

Lucy Mack Smith

The Prophet’s mother, was one of the most courageous women to open this dispensation. We love her for her defense and support of her children; her sharp, but loving tongue; and her loyalty to the sisters of the Relief Society, especially her daughter-in-law, Emma Smith.

At one time, Lucy told a Presbyterian deacon, “If you should stick my flesh full of faggots, and even burn me at the stake, I would declare, as long as God should give me breath, that Joseph has got that record, and that I know it to be true.” Yes, this woman had great courage.

Writing to her brother, Solomon Mack, one year after her own baptism, Lucy admonished him to “come to the light of the restored gospel.” She fearlessly quoted from the Book of Mormon, offering him doctrine as her testimony. “I want you to think seriously of these things for they are the truths of the living God. Please to accept this from your sister, Lucy Smith.”

Phebe Peck Knight

Married to Joseph Knight Sr., she wrote to her relative (probably a sister) about the Church. “I feel to say that if you do not give up all and follow your Lord and Master you will not be made worthy to partake of the Celestial glories in the Kingdom of our God.  I hope you will think of these things and ponder them in your heart, for they are of great worth unto the children of men.

Rebecca Swain Williams

To her father Isaac Swain, Rebecca wrote, “I hope your mind will be composed concerning this work, be assured that we feel firm in the cause knowing that the Lord is at the helm.”

A member of Sidney Rigdon’s congregation in Kirtland, Rebecca, and her husband, Fredrick Granger Williams, listened with rapt attention to the missionaries. She immediately desired baptism. Her husband, needing longer to be convinced, followed shortly after.

Her father never accepted Rebecca’s religion, disowning her and cutting off all communication. Undeterred, she continued writing letters to every member of her family, only to have them all returned, unopened. In her distress, she received her patriarchal blessing, which gave this promise, “In consequence of thy prayers and thy tears, thou shalt yet prevail, and the Lord will give thee thy father’s family who are now far from the way of Salvation. But the Lord will make bare His arm and show mercy unto them in making thy husband a Savior unto them.”

After serving as Joseph’s counselor in the First Presidency, Frederick was excommunicated from the Church. He eventually returned, but Rebecca would stay faithful throughout. She followed the Saints to Nauvoo and on to the Salt Lake Valley; finally settling in Cache Valley.

Melissa Morgan

Although born blind, she married Erastus Dodge and had fifteen children, eight of whom died before their first birthday. At the time of her baptism, Melissa was given a blessing and her sight was restored.

The family moved to Far West, but were driven out, and suffered much that winter. Joining the Saints in Nauvoo, her family helped build the temple and found security among their people. Erastus died in 1843 and Melissa died two years later firmly entrenched in the gospel.

Consider the fact she couldn’t see for most of her life, then imagine her strong desire to learn to write and share her knowledge with her family. Writing to her brother, she left this beautiful testimony behind.

“I praise my maker While I breath[e] if I am drove from place to place and serve the Lord for this I no he has no other Church Below. I do feel to rejoyce that it is as well With us as it is for god has bin our Sheald and buckler. He has bin our covet (cover) in the storme. When We Weare drove from Missouri in febary aCrost the prearas (prairie) you must realize your Self how you wold have felt to have bin drove from your home for nothing but for the religion of Jesus Christ in dead of Winter on the open preras (prairie).”

I thank these scholars for their fine work in researching and preserving these stirring stories that testify of the gospel that we have all come to believe in. And I thank these women for their mighty example of faith and testimony. May that pioneer spirit remain in us.

Letters taken from “Give Up All and Follow the Lord”, by Janiece Johnson, BYU Studies 41, (2002)